Guelph Undergrad Receives Inaugural 3M Student Fellowship

A University of Guelph student is among the inaugural recipients of a new prestigious national fellowship designed to recognize leadership and engagement in the undergraduate learning experience.

Jolène Labbé is one of 10 3M national student fellows announced today by
the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada. They honour students with outstanding leadership skills who have a vision of how to enhance the quality of undergraduate education.

Winners were selected from a pool of 89 nominees from across Canada.

“This is wonderful recognition for Jolène and the University of Guelph,” said Maureen Mancuso, vice-president (academic). “She is an example of how students can take an active role in their learning and help transform the educational experience for all. We are proud of and delighted for her.”

Winners receive $5,000 and will participate in an educational retreat and a collaborative project related to post-secondary education.

Labbé is a second-year arts and science student studying international development, biology and economics. She considers the primary role of education to serve society and enhance social well-being.

She has volunteered in a medical clinic in India and co-facilitated a U of G first-year seminar course called “Confronting Cultural Dilemmas.” She helped bring Vietnam War survivor Kim Phuc to campus to speak about the aftermath of the napalm bomb attack on Phuc’s village.

Labbé also helped co-ordinate the Stop-Hate, Promote Acceptance Campaign at U of G and is a Multi-Faith Team program facilitator, providing resources for students about religious groups on campus.

The 3M fellowship recipients will be formally recognized in June during STLHE’s annual conference in Montreal.